wELKome to the MD-DE-DC Elks Association Website... Click on Current State Newsletter (purple button below) - for a PDF of our current State Newsletter. *** NOTICE: >>> "CANCELLED" >>> Our next State Conference on June 5-7, 2020 for our Annual State Convention @ the Doubletree by Hilton in Annapolis, MD - HAS BEEN CANCELLED - due to the continuation of the current Health Crisis...
The BPO Elks - 156th Nat'l Convention in Baltimore, Maryland - has been "CANCELLED" - due to the continuing Health threat of the COVID-19. It is currently being planned to return to Baltimore in 2028...
*** STATE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
                                                                                JOHN  C.  LOFTUS                                                                  -- CLICK HERE --
~ The MD-DE-DC Elks Association is a non-profit Elks State Organization of  volunteers from the 37 Elks Lodges in Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia - dedicated to serving our communities... 
*** Navigation through our State Website is made to present an easier access to other Information Websites/Pages within the internet...
~ Examples: 
      ** SPECIAL MESSAGES & ANNOUNCEMENTS **  --- Click Here ---
Reference to:   COVID-19 CRISIS
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State Con-Con Page
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Elks.org
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2020 GL Convention
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****** VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
~ UPDATED GL & STATE ASSOC. ELKDOM "CORONA-VIRUS" POLICY & INFO... 
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***POSTED: 04/04/2020:                           (@ 8:54 am)
~ Below is an update Message from our State Sponsor PGER Paul D. Helsel... 
***POSTED: 03/31/2020: 
~ Below is an update Message from our State President, John Loftus... 
Reference: COVID-19
*** ​UPDATE: FROM EARLIER LODGE ADVISORY MESSAGE (Posted Below):
NOW INCLUDES LODGES IN DELAWARE...
~ Posted: 03/16/2020:
     Well, Delaware has fallen in line with MD as well as PA - closing bars, restaurants, etc and limiting meeting to 50 or less people.  
What was sent out earlier relative to MD lodges can now be used relative to DE lodges as well, refer to my earlier email to the DDGERs.
Same rules and requirements now apply to all lodges of our Association as well as the lodges of PA.
Mike and Angela be sure your lodges in DE are aware of the situation.
John you should probably expand your earlier message to include DE and have Joe get it on the website and distributed via his email dump.
Thanks to all and if you have questions let me know. 
Paul Helsel, PGER & Sponsor
POSTED: 03/13/2020
~ Received the following message from our State President John Loftus... 
***Members all:
~ Out an abundance of caution and our sincere concern for the health and welfare of our members, as well as their families and friends, The Grand Exalted Ruler, our Sponsor, and I, have decided to cancel our Spring Workshop at Hagerstown Lodge. Please remember to cancel any travel and lodging arrangements that you may have made. This cancellation also includes the Luncheon at Elks Camp Barrett on Thursday and Dinner at Frederick Lodge.
~ In addition, the Regional Hoop Shoot at Frederick, and the National Hoop Shoot in Chicago are likewise cancelled.
~ Please take all necessary steps to guard against this virus! 
God Bless you all!
Fraternally yours,
John Loftus, President

** IN RECAP; THE FOLLOWING UPCOMING ELK EVENTS HAVE BEEN "CANCELLED" - THEY ARE:   
  •  REGIONAL HOOP SHOOT - in FREDERICK, MD - this weekend 
  •  GRAND EXALTED RULER VISIT - March 18-22
  •  ELKS CAMP BARRETT LUNCHEON FOR GER Robert L. Duitsman - on Thurs., March 19
  •  GER DINNER AT FREDERICK LODGE 684 - on Thurs., March 19 
  •  STATE SPRING CONFERENCE - in HAGERSTOWN, MD - on March 20-22 
  • NATIONAL HOOP SHOOT - in Chicago, IL - on April 18 
  ~ All Members should contact their respective Hotel and follow their Policy on Refunds. 
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POSTED: 03/12/2020
****** VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION: 
~ CURRENT ELKDOM CORONA VIRUS POLICY INFO >>>
SEE MESSAGES BELOW FROM SP JOHN LOFTUS AND GRAND SECRETARY BRYAN KLATT... 
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**Email Message from:  SP John Loftus - Mar 12, 2020,
Joe, Please post this on our website for the information of our members. You can add language informing them that at this time, after consideration of all available information, our Spring Workshop in Hagerstown is scheduled to take place as planned. 
Thank you,
John
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From: GRANDLODGE
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2020 11:41 AM
Subject: Corona Virus / Covid-19 response to e-mails
cc: Robert Duitsman, GER / Advisory Committee / Endorsed Candidate for GER / Grand Forum / Board of Grand Trustees / Grand Lodge Committees / Special Deputy Grand Exalted Rulers / District Deputy Grand Exalted Rulers / State Presidents / State Secretaries

**All,
~ Like you, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is monitoring the rapidly evolving Coronavirus, COVID-19, outbreak. As the situation continues to unfold, here at the national headquarters, we are complying with the local, county and state public health announcements. Also, we have implemented the following CDC guidelines on practical ways to prevent the spread of infection and we hope our Local Lodges and State Associations will do the same:
  • No shaking hands, hugging, knuckle bumps or high fives.
  • Keep a safe distance from others. Six feet when possible.
  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • No soap? Use hand sanitizer (60–95% alcohol based).
  • Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze into the bend of your elbow or a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Stay home when you are sick and avoid close contact with people who are sick. Encourage others to do the same.
~ With regards to the national convention, which is scheduled for July in Baltimore, Maryland, the Convention Commission is closely monitoring the corona virus situation in Baltimore and the surrounding  areas.  Should the situation worsen, the Commission will review all facets of the convention and, if needed, will not hesitate to recommend the event be cancelled out of caution.  The Grand Lodge is hoping for the best and that action will not be needed. The goal is to make any decision as soon as possible.
~ We all need to keep in mind that the health of our Members, spouses, friends, volunteers and employees is paramount. Let's be vigilant in our efforts to keep one another healthy!
Bryan R. Klatt
Grand Secretary
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
     Of The United States of America
2750 North Lakeview Avenue
Chicago, IL  60614-1889
(773) 755 - 4708
Elks Care ~ Elks Share by Honoring The Past ~ Embracing The Future
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GL Veterans Page
*** Announced in Grand Lodge Newsletter - March 2020 - Page 4 @ bottom...
​***Next State Newsletter Deadline is:  MAY 08, 2020
~ Contact Janie Swigert, State Chair @ 410-703-1796 to submit your information... 
...into the next issue of the State Newsletter - to be released in October 2019...   NEWSLETTER EDITOR/PUBLISHER
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State Association FB Link
*** STATE ANNUAL ConVENTION ***
"CANCELLED"
                                JUNE 5 - 7, 2020                          --- click Here ---
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State Con-Con Page
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Elks.org
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State Con-Con Page

*** CANCELLED ***
~ Due to the Unfortunate continuation of the current crisis, the DECISION has been made to
CANCEL our Annual State Elks June Convention in Annapolis, MD.  

MARYLAND, DELAWARE AND DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
ELKS ASSOCIATION  
ANNUAL CONVENTION
JUNE 5 – 7, 2020 
@ DOUBLETREE by HILTON  
in ANNAPOLIS, MD 
*** HAS BEEN CANCELLED ***